Auto break-ins increase over holidays

Law officials searching for possible perpetrators

Deputies with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a string of auto break-ins Dec. 24 – 26 in multiple neighborhoods around the county.

On Dec. 24, thieves broke into four vehicles on Crooked Creek Road. According to the incident reports, the vehicles — two pick up trucks, a car and a jeep — were parked at homes next door and across the street from one another. Robbers broke into the vehicles, stealing a knife, cigarettes and a lighter from one car and a stereo from another. The other two vehicles were burglarized, but no items were removed.

On Dec. 26, thieves broke into three vehicles on Pine Ridge Road. According to the incident reports, when deputies were called to the first home, the victim said he heard noises outside of his home and went outside to investigate, where he saw two men getting into a white vehicle near two of his neighbor’s homes. The victim said his pick-up truck was unlocked and 100 feet of copper tubing was missing from his car. The tubing was valued at $300.

Later that morning, officers were called out again to the same neighborhood. The victim’s neighbor’s Chevy Silverado pick-up truck was burglarized and a firearm valued at $650 was stolen.

While deputies were taking the report, a third neighbor also reported a break-in. The third victim’s Jeep was burglarized and a flashlight, a pair of sunglasses and a Honey Baked Ham gift card were stolen. The items were valued at $300.

"It’s a quiet neighborhood around there. That’s one of the reasons we moved out there," one victim said. "Things are tough as it is without people doing this. It’s not just me. I’m hoping they are going to catch them."

On Dec. 26, four vehicles on Oak Brook Lane were burglarized. According to the incident reports, deputies were called to investigate multiple auto break-ins in the neighborhood.

One victim found his Chevy Trailblazer SUV unlocked and a Georgia lottery ticket valued at $10 was missing. A second victim’s Chevy Silverado pick-up truck had been burglarized and the stereo and spare change, all valued at $102, were missing. The third victim’s Ford F-150 pick-up truck had been broken into and his tools were missing. A fourth victim’s Ford F-150 pick-up truck was also burglarized; however, the missing stereo was found in an open lot in the neighborhood.

Deputies are still investigating the thefts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office at (678) 625-1400. Anonymous tips can be left online at http://015d2cb.netsolhost.com/anonymoustipline.htm